Allyson's Mission to the Philippines Baguio Mission

August 31, 2013

I'm very happy that BYU football is starting. Every P-day I wear my “Loyal Strong and True” shirt and the guy at the breakfast place always tells me that I'm going to miss a great season of football.

I got my travel plans yesterday! I am flying with everyone in our district except for Elder Peck and Wetterstrand. Our flight is Monday at 6 pm. We fly from SLC to LAX and then I think we have a 5 hour layover. Then LAX to Hong Kong (2 hour layover or something) and Hong Kong to Manila. So we leave Sep 9 at 6 pm and get to Manila Sep 11 at 9 am or something. Weird.

Our devotional this week was Neil L. Anderson. Here's a funny story. Elder Wetterstrand was talking to this kid before the devotional in the cafeteria. "Why are you here?" "We're visiting our grandpa, Elder Anderson!" "Oh, I think you mean President Anderson! He's my branch president. Please tell him Elder John Wetterstrand would like to be zone leader" Then he got to the devotional and realized that that kids grandpa was Neil Anderson. Anyway, the devotional was pretty good. After the devotional, we had to stay in the Marriot Center and sing hymns for a long time because there was a huge thunderstorm. So Elder Anderson shook a few hands and we have not heard the end of it from Elder Eagar. "I'm never washing this hand! It has been touched by an apostle of the Lord!" Oh brother. Then they finally let us leave but it was still pouring rain. Good thing we had our crocs! They worked about perfectly. Also, Sister Titabu's cousin is in Manila right now. She sent a picture of them standing in flood water. They were next to a car and the water was almost up to the side mirror. Sister Ackerman's friend is in Quezon City right now and almost all of the missionaries’ apartments are flooded and they aren't allowed to leave their apartment and they ran out of food! Crazy.

Yes, I watched the mormon message. [featuring Allyson's mission president; see this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ogs4k7c_kY] We thought it was so cute! They seem very kind. Haha, President Balledos emailed Sister Ackerman and said that Sister Balledos would like her to please pick up some down east xs undershirts at the bookstore for her. I'm glad I can buy dr pepper!

Dad, remember how you told me that the sisters would always cause so much drama? Incorrect! We are totally fine. It is 100% the elders.

Please let me know who wins the US Open! I'm predicting Djokovic will play Murray in the finals and Djokovic will win.

So you asked what else we do at the MTC besides learn Tagalog... basically just eat, sleep, learn tagalog, learn how to teach, study, go to devotionals twice a week, plan every little thing. They are big into planning here at the MTC. And on P days we just scramble to email, do laundry, go to the temple, do an hour of personal study, breakfast, lunch, and write letters all before class starts at 5:55. I thought p day would be so relaxing and nice-- false!

I am getting so excited to go to the Philippines. I am going to miss my district a lot though, especially Sister Ackerman and Dial and Titabu! Hopefully we'll see each other in Baguio! I will also miss my teacher, Brother Ward! He is the wisest person I've ever met and he's a pro at Tagalog.

I am so ready to be rid of this food. I've started to basically just have little salad or cereal for my meals, because everything makes me feel like I'm going to throw up. Maybe I'll miss the yucky MTC food when I'm eating rice for days, though!

I can't believe I only have a little more than a week left! I feel like I just barely got here! I wish I knew a lot more Tagalog, but I'm really excited to go the Philippines! Thanks for everything! Love you all!

Love, Sister Mortell